Caught in the Mix

Caught Up #1

by Candice Dow

Caught Up In Dreams - For Clark Anderson, senior year at Hampton University promises to be her finest yet. The smart sister from Baltimore City has looks, brains, a promising job offer, and now, it looks like she's met her dream guy in handsome law student, Devin Patterson.
Though their backgrounds couldn't be more different, wealthy, sheltered Devin falls hard for savvy, inner-city Clark. They're more than lovers; they're soul mates, and their storybook romance is the envy of the campus.
Caught Up In Love - But out in the real world, their bond will be tested again and again. From the strain of long-distance love and the pull of two high-powered careers to the well-meaning-but-misdirected advice of friends, the prejudices of family, and the strong allure of new passion and players, Clark and Devin are in for a ride that could tear them apart for good.
Caught In The Mix Now - for two people caught in the mix of secrets, family drama, lies, career struggles, and the hard truths of growing up and moving on, love is anything but easy- and doing the right thing by yourself is the hardest lesson of all.

Genres: Romance, African American, African American Romance

244 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2005

About the author

Candice Dow is a native of Baltimore, MD and graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Johns Hopkins University. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a Senior Software Engineer. It was her lifelong dream to write a novel and after toying with the idea for over five years, Candice made a commitment to herself to finish, Caught in the Mix; a story she had sporadically worked on.

Shortly after, Candice retained a literary agent and within two months was offered a two-book deal from Kensington Publishing. In 2005, she stepped out on faith and quit her six-figure job, one month prior to the release of her debut novel, Caught in the Mix. In her subsequent novels, Ain’t No Sunshine, A Hire Love and Tappin’ On Thirty, Candice continues to tackle relatable topics and create intriguing characters with stories that speak to the soul.

Candice currently resides in Maryland and is at work on her next novel. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Rho Xi Omega Chapter in Baltimore. Candice is a frequent traveler and loves to analyze love, life, and relationships, and seeks to expose the answers in works of fiction.

Reviews

[readbymonet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this randomly at the library and it is now one of my favorites.

[Nardsbaby Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

That obstinate love

Clark Anderson, a graduating senior at Hampton University like all of the other sistas on campus is trying to attain a degree. The older they've gotten the more they realize that they were all looking for "the one."

The back to school block party was a matchmakers dream. Clark Anderson and Devin Patterson met, and even with him being an underclassman they both feel that they've found a treasure.

It's been two years, Clark and Devin are still together, and both are back and forth from Maryland to Hampton University. With Devin's approaching graduation Clark is searching for employment in New York to be closer to him while he's in law school.

The thought of having to step out of her comfort zone is causing Clark to literally be sick. Is this a sign of what's to come? Devin doesn't seem to comprehend why Clark won't abandon her sovereignty. Is this relationship tough enough to last?

Unspoken truths, betrayal, secrets, deceptions, families, and other diversions are heavily aligned against Clark and Devin.

If it's really love, why does it hurt so bad?

Caught in the mix, is a first-rate read.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caught in the mix was the book that you can't put down. It was about this couple, Clark and Devin they are soul mates and Clark loved him so much that her feelings didn't matter. As long as she made Devin happy go lucky. But Devin was all into himself and what his mother would think or say. So with all his problems he didn't see Clark as the women that she was until it was to late.

[Candace Nicole' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dont know what you got til its gone.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this story was so good because so many people can relate to it. A college couple struggles with the aspects of their relationship after they are done with school. Struggling with finding a job while keeping their long distance relationship going, along with all the ofher things people have to deal with in everyday life. Clark was a strong black woman, but at times she did iritate me with her temper tantrums and her dirty mouth. Devin almost seemed like the perfect man, but his secrets, and his tendency to be a coward at times really messed things up. These two were almost perfect for one another, but so many negative outside factors really screwed with their relationship. I cant wait to see how things progress with these two in the next book.

[OOSA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed Messages

Clark is graduating from Hampton University and has a wonderful career in front of her. She is tired of dealing with one night stands and missed promises. By chance and a persistent underclassman, Clark meets the man of her dreams, Devin.

Devin is going through the motions of being a sophomore and dealing with trying to please his family. His future is an open book and full of opportunity. His chance meeting with Clark is the one thing he has been hoping for.

Clark and Devin try to battle the ups and downs of the age old saying "is it worth it"?

Reviewed by: LaDonna

[Samantha-Leigh Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, right from the beginning it got me hooked.
I read quite a few years ago, and even now (3+ years later) I am still amazed by how much I enjoyed it then.
The Devin and Clarke had equally 'annoying' characteristics about them, which made it an all more interesting read, the twists in the plot kept me intrigued.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book. I honestly read it in one day. COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. I loved that both main characters had an education and was successful. It was mainly a 'will they get back together or not' story. It's was good. It was different.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was very good

[Francy Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

[Breiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caught in the Mix is a story of two lovers with two very different backgrounds who come together right smack dab in the peak of their lives. Clark Anderson is tired of the typical player guys at Hampton University and is about to give up on love. That is, until she meets Devin Patterson, a fine underclassmen who took her breath away from the first moment they met. They instantly became inseparable but once Clark graduates ahead of Devin and goes on the job search, the lovers' long distance romance struggles. I do believe they both envisioned the future with one another but for Clark, her trust was shattered the moment she realized she was being kept from a huge part of Devin's life. Devin suffers from extreme identity crisis and couldn't identify his voice over the power of his parents' judgmental and condescending voices. They weren't Clark's biggest fans, but in my opinion it was because they don't really know their son.
Jennifer always seemed like she had something to hide, with her innocent facade. I love how everything was revealed. Candice Dow did a great job at keeping the experiences poignant and relatable. Far from the perfect love story with the happy ending but that's what I appreciated the most. One of my favorites.

Read Flow: Moderate

[Tierra Hereford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book; I read it a few years ago, but it was a great read. I think I even read it twice! I like Candice's right technique and I am excited to find out there is a sequel, even if it is years later.

[Lakisha Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I swear the entire time I was reading this book I kept thinking I read it before...